Tamalegirl at Large at Blankspace Gallery, First Friday Oakland Art Murmur 12/4

Tina Tamale of La Borinqueña is joining Blankspace Gallery for First Friday at Holidayland! Tasty Tamales, a bevy of beverages, and all items are served on compostable serviceware.

Tamale plate, includes chips & salsa, $5 each
Choice of pork, chicken or potato & green bean (vegan!)

Drinks, $3 each
Mexican Hot Chocolate, Jamaica Agua Fresca or Mexican Coca Cola


HOLIDAYLAND 2009 at Blankspace Gallery
featuring local artists, designers and crafts people
November 27 - December 20, 2009

First Friday Reception:
Friday, December 4th, 6-10pm
additional holiday cheer events Dec 13th and 20th 4-8pm

This is our 4th annual Holiday sale featuring over 100 local artists, designers and crafts people. This gift sale has become a Blankspace tradition and for the second year we will be joining forces with The Compound Gallery located next door to create a holiday Extravaganza!

Both galleries will be themed with rustic Paul Bunyan decor and will feature small works of art, ceramics, accessories, paper goods, household goods, gifts for kiddies, jewelry and many more affordable indie gifts.

Many fun activities through out the sale including-
Getting your holiday photo taken in our themed photo booth (proceeds go to Art in Oakland Schools) and spin the Wheel o' bounty for prizes.

Galleries are open extended hours during the sale:
WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY 12-8pm

For more info, visit Blankspace Gallery.

ZooLights 2009 at Oakland Zoo, 12/4/09 to 1/3/10

On December 4, 2009, the sun will go down and ZooLights will turn on at the Oakland Zoo. This is a family-friendly event without the hustle and bustle – more of a relaxing way to take in the holiday season. It’s one thing to see photos of the event and it’s another to actually take in the festival of lights for yourself!

During the evenings of December 4 – January 3, the Oakland Zoo literally transforms into a holiday wonderland. Hundreds of LED lights illuminate the night sky, taking on the shapes of animals, candy canes, lollipops, and, of course, Santa Claus! As you walk along the night paths of the Zoo, brightly-colored lights and festive music fill the air. The holiday spirit surrounds you and is a gentle reminder of what this season is all about.

So, bundle up with a warm scarf, grab a cup of hot chocolate, and tap your toes to familiar holiday tunes while watching the ZooLights meadow show. Then, add a little jingle to your step as you mingle through Santa’s Village and into a fantasyland of giant toy soldiers and gingerbread men. Wrap up the evening with a train ride on the Snowball Express. You’ll experience this holiday tradition while seeing breathtaking views of the Bay Area. ZooLights 2009, is an annual festival of lights you don’t want to miss! Buy tickets online today!

Oaklandish Innovator Awards Happy Hour @ Farley's East, Oakland, Thurs 12/3

Chris from Farley's writes -

"Every month, we feature a local non-profit that is working to better the lives of Oakland residents in some way. As part of the program, we host a happy hour providing free appetizers and a portion of all sales are donated to the non-profit. This month, we have an exciting and unique organization. We are partnering with Oaklandish. Oaklandish funds the Innovators Awards which recognizes multiple local non-profits:

"Oakland has historically been a hotbed of renegade activity, where boundaries are redefined and trends are created rather than followed. To help encourage the continuation of this "trailblazers' legacy," Oaklandish has created the Oaklandish Innovators Award, a fund that offers annual grants to those organizations and individuals who are doing pioneering work in our community."

We are proud to raise funds for the 2010 Oaklandish Innovators Award. We hope you join us on Thursday, December 3 from 5-8pm to support this worthy cause."

Come through and help support the future 2010 Innovator's while you enjoy Farley's. If you haven't been there they have great sandwiches, lots of magazines, friendly people, and awesome coffee. Exactly the things missing from large coffee chains.

2nd Annual Temescal Holiday Skate & Stroll, Oakland, Sat 12/12 & Sun 12/13

Popcorn, candy canes, hot chocolate, carolers, and lively merchants await you on Telegraph Ave., all weekend long. Show your moves at the outdoor ice skating rink (skates available) at 49th and Telegraph. Drop in on your favorite local merchants for a little last minute holiday shopping. And don't forget to smile when you take your picture with Santa!

On Sunday: celebrate the work of Oakland artist Mark Brest van Kempen at the community dedication of Views of the Greenbelt. This public art project, commissioned by the City of Oakland, is a series of sculptures focused on the flora and fauna of the Rockridge Temescal Greenbelt. The dedication event starts at the art sculpture podium adjacent to the DMV parking lot (5300 Claremont Avenue) at 11 AM. Enjoy a brief walking tour of select sculptures ending with light refreshments at Hardy Park.

Paramount Movie Classics - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Fri 12/18

Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book is brought to the screen in this colourful story of reclusive chocolate maker Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) who offers five lucky children the chance to tour his mysterious candy factory. Roald Dahl adapted his own book for the screenplay of this timeless family film that will continue to endure as long as people love chocolate.

Running time: 100 minutes
Box Office opens @ 6:00pm | Doors open @ 7:00 | Curtain rises @ 8:00pm
All Tickets: $5.00

Paramount Theatre website

KFOG's 24th Annual Concert For Kids, Paramount Theatre, Oakland Sat 12/12

KFOG's 24th Annual Concert For Kids
to benefit Toys for Tots and Ronald McDonald House
Doors at 6:00, show at 7:00
Tickets: $125.00 | $65.00 | $50.00 | $45.00 | $35.00

The 24th annual Concert features Brandi Carlile and Mat Kearney. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped book or toy to donate to the Marines' Toys for Tots program. Proceeds from tickets sales benefit The Ronald McDonald House of San Francisco.

Paramount Theatre website

A Tasting Of Holiday Beers XXI, Pacific Coast Brewing Company, Old Oakland, Sat 12/12

Come taste 14 "Holiday" style beers and eat great food. We'll have fun sampling and scoring the best in Holiday style beers. Expect to see some more 21st Anniversary ale masquerading as Holiday XXI! (Sold out in 3 days last time around.)

Tickets available at the pub for $50.00. Get your tickets early as this event ALWAYS sells out!
510-836-2739

Trivia Night @ The Den Returns! Fox Theater, Oakland every Tuesday night

Starting on December 1st, Trivia Night will be back in rotation every Tuesday at The Den with a fresh new start time of 8:00pm.

Trivia Night will be giving away the following ticket prizes (4 tickets for the winning team) for the month of December:

12/1 – Weezer at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on Jan. 9

12/8 – Hot Chip at Fox Theater on April 16

12/15 – Avett Brothers at Fox Theater on April 17

12/22 – Tegan and Sara at Fox Theater on March 5

12/29 – Magnetic Fields at Fox Theater on February 27

Trivia night details
* Teams of 4
* We post the miscellaneous round topic to the Fox Theater’s Facebook/Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.
* Visit http://www.thedenoakland.com for more details!

10th Annual America's Children's Holiday Parade, downtown Oakland, Sat 12/5

Curious George. The Raggs. Clifford. Berenstain Bears. Bob from Sesame Street. Santa. Mention the names and watch a kids eyes light up! Assemble them all into one parade, and open the festive holiday season with delight for children and the people who love them. That’s what the Comcast America’s Children’s Holiday Parade in Oakland, California is all about. The children’s favorites appear as giant helium balloons, live characters waving from cars, or dancing and singing on colorful floats parade through Downtown Oakland.

The ooh’s and ahh’s of 100,000 spectators thrill the parade participants and provide a heartfelt warm-up for the arrival of Santa Claus in the parade’s finale.

Date: Saturday, December 5, 2009
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: Broadway and 11th Street to 20th Street, to Harrison Street

Mad Men Party at Penelope, Old Oakland, Sat 11/28

Come to Penelope this Saturday at 4pm for a Mad Men marathon! Dress up in your best 60's style clothes and you can get a drink special!

Penelope
Corner of 11th & Clay St, Old Oakland
only a few blocks from 12th St. Bart